The project is a residence located in Southampton, New York.

The Centrifugal Villa is arranged around a hollow center, as if the heart of the house had somehow fallen outside its body. The string of subsequent spaces in its interior provide a comprehension of the whole by sacrificing their individual geometric cohesiveness to the fractured configuration of the entire composition.

The experience of the interior is characterized by constantly shifting vanishing points, at the place of their collision in each crease of the plan, large openings cutting dormer scoops on the roof, centrifugally release the views out to the surrounding landscape.

The house, defined by this idea rather than a formal imposition, cannibalizes the local “vernacular,” distorting it through hexagonal introspection of the plan and the transposed proportion of the parts.

Designed as wood post-and-beam structure, the exterior cladding is detailed with vertical board and batten seams to give continuity to the building exterior and encourage an uninterrupted rhythmic flow around the elevations.
The house utilizes geothermal heating and incorporates passive energy-saving techniques, including a narrow-section interior to allow natural ventilation and a sequence and layout of dormer windows and openings to permit generous daylighting and minimal artificial lighting needs.

Set on a 5-acre property overlooking an agricultural reserve, the completed project includes main house, separate guesthouse and garage structure, and poolhouse with poolside pavilion.

Project details and credits


Project Name: Centrifugal Villa
Location: Southampton, New York
Program: Residential housing; 7-bedroom residence, guest house, 4-car garage, poolhouse and tennis area
Built Area: 13,250 sf
Status: Construction completed 2008

Architects: OBRA Architects, Pablo Castro, New York / Connecticut
Principals: Pablo Castro, Jennifer Lee
Project Team: Selin Semaan, Akira Gunji, Luis Costa, Shin Kook Kang, Satoshi Kiyono, Kaon Ko, Bronwyn Kotzen, Fabiana Meacham, Elizabeth Snow, Elina Almuhametova, Chiara Filios, Doreen Lam
Structural Engineer: Robert Silman Associates, Nat Oppenheimer, Jeff Beane
Lighting Consultant: Peiheng Tsai Lighting Design



Photo Credits: OBRA Architects